Timbers defender Brent Sancho was part of a 36-man squad assembled by new T&T Senior Team Head Coach, Hannibal Najjar in Trinidad last weekend. The squad are preparing for T&T’s opening Gold Cup qualifying match against St Lucia on November 13. Sancho is currently playing for Trinidad team CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh who play rivals Vibe CT 105 W Connection on Sunday, the winners taking Trinidad's Pro League 2002 title.

[Update] Sancho was part of the Jabloteh team that won the 2002 Pro League title yesterday after ending their season with a 1-1 draw with W Connection.

Gavin Wilkinson was recently named to the New Zealand International side (the All-Whites) for a European tour including 2 FIFA A internationals against Estonia (12th Oct) and Poland (16th Oct). The games are in preparation for the Confederations Cup to take place next June in France. The All-Whites team includes only 1 player who currently plays in New Zealand. Gavin currently has 38 caps.

Assistant Coach Ricki Herbert is quoted as saying...

"We need matches at the top level but also exposure to different conditions and styles of opposition for players to mature and improve both personally and as a team. These matches will do all of that but are also a reflection of how our players have progressed as professionals. It is marvellous to think we can select a squad almost exclusively from Europe and North America and put out a very competitive side. I would expect this trend to continue and follow a similar pattern to the Australians, who now number over 100 players in Europe. Poland especially will be a huge challenge but it is one the players and management will relish."

McKinley Tennyson continues to take his chances with aplomb after scoring in his first MLS game last night. Replacing Galaxy forward Carlos Ruis in stoppage time Kei slotted home an unassisted goal past Kansas City's keeper Tony Meola to pad LA's win to 5-2. The win takes LA into a semifinal series against the Colorado Rapids (where, incidentally, Matt Napoleon is currently residing!)

"It's good to get a goal and do it in your first game," said Tennyson, who played at UCLA and had 18 goals with the A-League's Portland Timbers this season. "It's been long-awaited and there's been a lot of hard work put in there, faith and trust in coaches. To start out like that is great."

Tennyson could get a starting spot in the LA line-up sooner than expected with forward Carlos Ruis currently 1 yellow card away from suspension.

Exciting Timbers winger Jake Sagare (who's father is from the UK and therefore holds a British passport) is currently on trial for Grimsby Town. Recommended to Town boss Graham Rodger by Sean McAuley, Jake was initially going to get his first reserve game today against York City, but international clearance had yet to arrive so his chance has been slightly delayed.